Chapter One: What we do for others

A/N: This was originally a one-shot about what we didn't get to see in "Price above rubies" but I got a little carried away so…here we are. This is what would have happened if they hadn't got a case in the middle of the party, and Jane and Lisbon were able to stay at the party just a little longer. =) This is going to be a nine ish chapter fic, and its rated M for later chapters. Enjoy.

Agent Teresa Lisbon starred back at her reflection and sighed. She had always hated these things, and normally she could find a way out of it, a case, paper work, hell at this point she would be willing to do almost anything to get out of this stupid function. Minelli had known her long enough to know she didn't want to do this, which is why he had given her a direct order. She had to go, he said, not just for the CBI but for her team.

Teresa sighed again and brushed her bangs from her face. Perhaps her boss knew her to well. She would do anything for her team, and he was right this was for them, so she would go even if she didn't like it.

He wouldn't be doing it if she hadn't asked him. Patrick Jane stood just against the wall willing himself to be invisible and starring at all the beautifully dressed people moving around the overly decorated room. He wouldn't be here if Teresa Lisbon hadn't asked him to be, and he certainly wouldn't be getting up on the stage. She had accused him of being a showman more than once and he had proven to be overly dramatic, but he did that mostly for her sake, it made her smile as surly as it annoyed her. This however was being a showman.

Jane smiled as he watched Teresa slide into the room trying to remain unnoticed, but Jane noticed. Her black dress hugged her petite body brilliantly and her raven hair fell down in waves. She may have wished to remain invisible but the dozens eyes following her slow movement around the room defeated her. She was far too beautiful to go unnoticed.

Suddenly she paused and turned to look up. She smiled when her eyes fell on him, and even from across the room he could see her eyes sparkling in the dancing lights.

He smiled back at her and pointed at the stage before pulling a face. She giggled and Jane could imagine the sound rolling over his skin. She pointed at him discreetly and tried to give him a serious look, but her unconscious biting lip made it seem more sensual than serious. Still he knew what she meant and Jane grinned in response even as he traced her lips with his eyes.

Jane crossed his heart dramatically and was rewarded with a smile and a classically Lisbon eye roll.

A voice bouncing around the room through the speakers drew everyone's attention to the stage, everyone except Jane's. He watched as Teresa glanced up at the stage on reflex then back to him.

She smiled and gave him a small nod, before turning and disappearing into the crowd. He watched her for several seconds before heading to the stage.

He watched her go an old pain in his chest that he hadn't felt since his wife died. He wouldn't be doing this if she hadn't asked him to.